When someone uses a land line to call the 911 Dispatch Center, Cincoski
explained to the Town Council at its meeting Monday night, dispatchers
automatically can match that number to a name and an address and direct
responders accordingly.

But dispatchers don’t get the same information from cell phones, meaning
that the caller’s location can only be triangulated roughly. In a crisis,
that process wastes valuable time, Cincoski said.

So he’

s recommending that residents go to
www.smart911.com--a
free service--and establish a “safety profile” for
their household. When anyone in that household calls 911 from a phone
associated with that profile, including cell phones, all information in that
profile, including an address, is immediately displayed to the dispatcher.

Reporting Complaints to CPD

In related business, Cincoski also is urging residents to use the “Report a
Problem” tab on the CPD page of the town’s municipal website advisedly.

In particular, the “Report a Problem” tab was never intended for
time-sensitive issues or emergencies.

“If you have a legitimate problem, don’t report it on the website,” Cincoski
said. The website is not 911, it’s not monitored 24/7, and it may be several
days before Cincoski actually receives a problem report.

Cones on Loan

Meanwhile, members voted 4-0 at Cincoski’s recommendation to approve the
loan of traffic cones and barricades to the organizers of the Hero Half
Marathon and 10K, scheduled to be run on Sunday, Oct. 20, from and then back
to Indiana Dunes State Park.

The event--organized by Lighthouse Events--should not impinge on traffic in
the Town of Chesterton, Cincoski said, it

’s general
route is east of Dunes State Park, but cones and barricades are needed for
traffic control.

Trick-or-Treat

Cincoski also reported that the Police Commission has scheduled this year’s
trick-or-treat for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, “the same as all
surrounding jurisdictions.”

But there will be an earlier trick-or-treat, sponsored by the Duneland
Chamber of Commerce, from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Downtown
businesses.

Cincoski warned motorists to use caution during that time, especially in and
around the Downtown.

CFD Thanks the Community

Fire Chief Mike Orlich took a moment on Monday to thank the community for
its terrific support of the second annual Lights & Sirens Parade on Saturday
and for its attendance at the annual CFD Open House after.

Both events were held to launch this year’s edition of National Fire
Prevention Week.

Engine 512, Again

And Orlich reported that Engine 512 will be out of service for the next
couple of weeks, after developing a number of problems, including issues
with the pump, the transmission, and either the chassis or suspension.